Chest of Drawers 1877 - 1880

Curator: Immediately, I'm drawn to the contrast of the stark white marble top against the deep, almost lacquered black wood. It speaks of a certain formality. Editor: Indeed! I want to draw your attention to a fantastic piece currently residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: a Chest of Drawers, dating from around 1877 to 1880, crafted by the esteemed Herter Brothers. It's a magnificent example of decorative art. Curator: Herter Brothers, known for their intricate woodwork. Look at how the floral patterns, are they inlaid, or perhaps expertly painted onto each drawer front? The handles too, such attention to the means of function as well as style. Editor: The gold floral patterns are particularly captivating. To me, they suggest wealth, nature and a deep appreciation for organic beauty woven into everyday life. Notice how those flower images almost recall garlands for some celebration or ceremony. Curator: Absolutely! I think the blend of materials -- wood, marble, and the metallic hardware - highlights the rising influence of industrial manufacturing in what was, even then, considered "fine" art. One must think of who had access to these raw materials. The production, surely a collaboration across workshops? Editor: The drawers certainly represent something interesting about America's late 19th century; an opulent period! Did each drawer perhaps hold clothes or items connected with specific occasions, as dictated by certain rituals? Curator: It makes one wonder how the original owner interacted with such an object. A simple chest of drawers becomes imbued with meaning via craftsmanship, materials, and, dare I say, even status. Was the act of opening those drawers and seeing gold flowers not just daily life, but daily performance of wealth? Editor: It certainly brings an appreciation for beauty to the private space; perhaps a secret garden of the mind. It makes me question the relationship people have between themselves and wealth in general, or what they choose to share or hide from plain sight. Curator: In closing, examining this chest forces one to ask what luxury really signifies when we are still faced with a global divide between labor and value. Editor: To me, this chest represents that desire of having the natural world live in even our most private surroundings, perhaps it represents a lost time.